Yuki Noguchihttp://tspr.org
enFrom The Silents To Millennials, Debt Burdens Span The Generationshttp://tspr.org/post/silents-millennials-debt-burdens-span-generations
For most of us, debt is a big part of life. According to <a href="http://www.pewtrusts.org/~/media/Assets/2015/07/Reach-of-Debt-Report_ARTFINAL.pdf?la=en">a new study</a> by Pew Charitable Trusts, 80 percent of Americans have some form of debt — from student loans to credit card balances.<p>There are many among the so-called silent generation, those born before World War II, who are still paying off mortgages and credit cards.<p>"Silent generation people, 90 percent of whom are retired, are carrying debt later into life.Wed, 29 Jul 2015 22:04:00 +0000Yuki Noguchi75246 at http://tspr.orgFrom The Silents To Millennials, Debt Burdens Span The GenerationsZappos: A Workplace Where No One And Everyone Is The Bosshttp://tspr.org/post/zappos-workplace-where-no-one-and-everyone-boss
Jacqui Gonzalez once spent an hour and a half on the phone helping a customer. The Zappos.com employee enjoys being generous with the online shoe retailer's money, sending gift baskets and thank-you cards to people whose complaints she has solved.<p>And mostly, she's grateful that she doesn't have a manager to consult in making those decisions.<p>"We don't have to put someone on hold and ask permission," says the former customer service agent, who is now a tour guide at the company. "We don't have a manager that you need to be transferred to.Tue, 21 Jul 2015 07:33:00 +0000Yuki Noguchi74808 at http://tspr.orgZappos: A Workplace Where No One And Everyone Is The BossEmployee Or Contractor? New U.S. Guidelines Could Reclassify Workers http://tspr.org/post/employee-or-contractor-new-us-guidelines-could-reclassify-workers
Until this spring, California port truck driver Alex Paz was considered an independent contractor. He had paid for fuel and registration of a truck, but the truck itself was owned by the trucking company. Some months, after the company deducted his costs, he ended up <em>owing</em> the company money.<p>"I didn't feel like I was working for myself," he says.<p>Under pressure from Paz and the Teamsters Union, the company reclassified him as an employee.<p>"It's a lot better because now you get paid. You know you're an employee," Paz says.<p>This week, the U.S.Thu, 16 Jul 2015 21:22:00 +0000Yuki Noguchi74629 at http://tspr.orgAmid New Overtime Rules, More Employers Might Set Email Curfewhttp://tspr.org/post/amid-new-overtime-rules-more-employers-might-set-email-curfew
The buzzing phone or ding of an email from the bedside table might be standard these days.Wed, 08 Jul 2015 07:36:00 +0000Yuki Noguchi74179 at http://tspr.orgAmid New Overtime Rules, More Employers Might Set Email CurfewNew Rules Could Create A New Class Of Overtime Workershttp://tspr.org/post/new-rules-could-create-new-class-overtime-workers
As President Obama promised, <a href="http://www.npr.org/2015/06/30/418924485/obama-proposes-expanding-overtime-pay-to-nearly-5-million-workers">a new rule</a> would make 5 million more Americans eligible for overtime pay.<p>Many workers say it's a welcome change.Thu, 02 Jul 2015 21:52:00 +0000Yuki Noguchi73974 at http://tspr.orgState Department Computer Glitch Creates A Visa Nightmarehttp://tspr.org/post/state-department-computer-glitch-creates-visa-nightmare
The State Department says it is working around the clock on a computer problem that's having widespread impact on travel into the U.S. The glitch has practically shut down the visa application process.<p>Of the 50,000 visa applications received every day, only a handful of emergency visas are getting issued.<p>It's well into cherry season in Washington state, and soon it will be peach and then apple season.Tue, 23 Jun 2015 21:57:00 +0000Yuki Noguchi73506 at http://tspr.orgState Department Computer Glitch Creates A Visa NightmareJudge Rules In Favor Of AIG In Bailout Case, But Offers No Damageshttp://tspr.org/post/judge-rules-favor-aig-bailout-case-offers-no-damages
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Judge+Rules+In+Favor+Of+AIG+In+Bailout+Case%2C+But+Offers+No+Damages&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAyOTk4OTc0MDEyNzcxNDIzMTZjM2E3Zg004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>MELISSA BLOCK, HOST: <p>A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. government overstepped its bounds when it bailed out American International Group, or AIG, during the financial crisis. But despite that ruling, he did not award the plaintiffs a monetary reward.Mon, 15 Jun 2015 20:31:00 +0000Yuki Noguchi73095 at http://tspr.orgBusinesses Are Hanging Up On Voice Mail To Dial In Productivityhttp://tspr.org/post/businesses-are-hanging-voice-mail-dial-productivity
A few short years after voice mail was developed in the late 1970s, it quickly became an essential business tool.<p>But in the past few years, its use has been in decline.Wed, 10 Jun 2015 09:03:00 +0000Yuki Noguchi72820 at http://tspr.orgBusinesses Are Hanging Up On Voice Mail To Dial In ProductivityWhen Are Employee Wellness Incentives No Longer Voluntary? http://tspr.org/post/when-are-employee-wellness-incentives-no-longer-voluntary
Scotts Miracle-Gro makes products for the care and health of lawns. The Marysville, Ohio, company says it wants to nurture its 8,000 employees the same way.<p>"It's very much of a family culture here," says Jim King, a spokesman for the Scotts company, which offers discounted prescriptions, annual health screenings and some free medical care.<p>In states where it's legal, the company refuses to hire people who smoke.<p>"We've been screening for tobacco use for about a decade," King says. "We no longer employ tobacco users."<p>That provision landed the company in court several years ago.Fri, 29 May 2015 21:28:00 +0000Yuki Noguchi72306 at http://tspr.orgWhen Are Employee Wellness Incentives No Longer Voluntary? How A Bigger Lunch Table At Work Can Boost Productivityhttp://tspr.org/post/how-bigger-lunch-table-work-can-boost-productivity
<p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PdmNbqtDdI</p>Wed, 20 May 2015 07:24:00 +0000Yuki Noguchi71830 at http://tspr.orgHow A Bigger Lunch Table At Work Can Boost ProductivitySome Companies Fight Pay Gap By Eliminating Salary Negotiationshttp://tspr.org/post/some-companies-fight-pay-gap-eliminating-salary-negotiations
When it comes to negotiating salaries, the research is pretty clear: <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2014/04/08/300290240/why-women-dont-ask-for-more-money">women are less assertive than men</a>. It's one reason women who start their careers with a narrower pay gap see it widen over time.<p>Carnegie Mellon economics professor Linda Babcock, who studies the gender pay gap, says men are four times more likely to negotiate their pay.Thu, 23 Apr 2015 08:22:00 +0000Yuki Noguchi70486 at http://tspr.orgSome Companies Fight Pay Gap By Eliminating Salary NegotiationsNew York Investigates Retailers For Unpredictable Work Scheduleshttp://tspr.org/post/new-york-investigates-retailers-unpredictable-work-schedules
The unpredictable schedules of retail and fast-food workers is a big issue in workers rights campaigns. Now, the New York attorney general is investigating the way some of the country's biggest retailers handle scheduling.<p>In New York, if a worker shows up for a shift that he doesn't end up being needed for, the law says he still is due four hours of pay. State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says retailers, especially, rely heavily on systems that require workers to be ready to work a shift — regardless of whether they end up working.Mon, 13 Apr 2015 21:40:00 +0000Yuki Noguchi70015 at http://tspr.orgNew York Investigates Retailers For Unpredictable Work SchedulesA New Internet Domain: Extortion Or Free Speech?http://tspr.org/post/new-internet-domain-extortion-or-free-speech
A rash of new Web domain suffixes has popped up in recent years to supplement .com and .net — terms such as .bargains or .dating.<p>Several new suffixes seem to invite negative feedback. There are .gripe and .fail. There's even .wtf — a colorful variation on "what the heck." And soon, there will be .sucks.<p>J. Scott Evans says his objection isn't that it sounds whiny — it's the price. Evans is associate general counsel at Adobe Systems, and for a trademark owner like his to claim Adobe.sucks would cost $2,500 a year.Tue, 07 Apr 2015 07:20:00 +0000Yuki Noguchi69668 at http://tspr.orgA New Internet Domain: Extortion Or Free Speech?Germanwings Crash Highlights Workplace Approaches To Mental Healthhttp://tspr.org/post/germanwings-crash-highlights-workplace-approaches-mental-health
The horrifying crash last week of the Germanwings flight operated by Lufthansa has put a spotlight on what the airline knew — and what it should, or could have done — about its pilot's mental health.<p>Lufthansa could face unlimited liability, after the pilot allegedly brought the plane down deliberately. Here in the U.S., employment experts say monitoring employees' mental health status raises a thicket of complicated issues.<p>According to the Air Line Pilots Association, most U.S.Wed, 01 Apr 2015 22:34:00 +0000Yuki Noguchi69437 at http://tspr.orgGermanwings Crash Highlights Workplace Approaches To Mental HealthAs Americans Eat Healthier, Processed Foods Starting To Spoilhttp://tspr.org/post/americans-eat-healthier-processed-foods-starting-spoil
Kraft Foods is going through a rough patch.<p>This week, Kraft recalled nearly 2.5 million boxes of macaroni and cheese that were potentially contaminated with metal pieces.<p>Also, Kraft Singles, a pre-sliced processed cheese product, earned a nutritional seal from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.Sat, 21 Mar 2015 13:34:00 +0000Yuki Noguchi68902 at http://tspr.orgAs Americans Eat Healthier, Processed Foods Starting To Spoil